“God, do you care? God, are you there?” These are a couple of the questions that 15,000 women dug into in an online Jennifer Rothschild Bible Study that just finished up. The study was called Missing Pieces, and was just what so many of us needed for just a time as this.

Has the world gone crazy? Who would have thought on March 1 that we would be right here, right now? A worldwide pandemic in a wave of resurgence. A country fueled by hate, division, and civil unrest. Jobs lost. Sickness surrounding us. Financial ruin rampant. Relationships strained and broken. Loved ones lost.

Trials are raging in the midst of the chaos, some caused by the chaos, some in addition to the chaos. If the decade of the 2020’s is going to be like this, “Please, Lord, could we go back to the 2010’s?” Or better yet. “Lord, could You please just come get us?” These trials are enough to crush the strongest Christian, to shake the roots of the most grounded saint. Are we starting to lose hope? Are we losing heart? 

Hagar knew what it felt like to be crushed. In despair, she must have wondered if anyone cared about what was happening to her. She was a slave who had been abused by Abram and Sarai. She was forced to carry her master’s child against her will. Then her mistress turned on her and treated her terribly. She did all she knew to do. She ran away.

Perhaps you can relate to her, not to her situation, but to her emotional state. Have you ever felt lonely, fearful, and unloved? Have you wanted to run away? Maybe you’ve lost your health or lost your job or lost your home. Has your heart been broken by a prodigal child? Have you been betrayed by a friend, been unappreciated by a boss, or been abused, abandoned or neglected by a parent or a spouse? Like Hagar, maybe you’ve felt less than.

Hagar found herself alone on a deserted desert road by a well when the angel of the Lord came to visit her that day.

“Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” (Gen. 16:8)

The Lord spoke her name. He saw her right there in the midst of her need. Although He knew the answers to the questions He was asking, He wanted to have the conversation with her. He cared. He was there.

It was not likely that a young, pregnant, defenseless, runaway slave woman without shelter or sustenance would survive the trudge through Canaan’s wilderness to a foreign land. The Lord knew what was best, and He told her to go back to her mistress for her safety and the safety of her unborn child. Sometimes His direction is not what we want to hear, but it is always what is best for us.  

“I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count” (Gen. 16:9)

Haggar acknowledged the Lord and heeded His direction. That day at the well, she gave Him the name “El Roi”, which means “the God who sees”.

He saw Hagar in her desperate, hopeless situation. The Lord sees you too. He knows your name and what you are going through at this very moment.

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:7

He feeds each and every sparrow. He can, He has, and He will continue to take care of you. His works are wonderful. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-14) He has plans to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) You are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

The depths of His love for you are unimaginable. He sent His only son Christ Jesus to die a cruel death for you and your sins. He did this so that you could be forgiven and be reconciled back to God. (John 3:16, Romans 5:8)

He not only wants a conversation with you like He had with Hagar that day, He wants a relationship with you—one that will last for eternity. There is no love that compares with the love of God.

He is hope for the hopeless. The Lord is rest and comfort for the weary. He is strength in our weakness. He is the answer when our hearts long for answers.

El Roi sees you. When you’re out of answers, sit quietly by your well, and wait expectantly for Him to call your name. 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

Dear Lord: Thank You that You seek us out and find us in our greatest hour of need. You pour Your grace on us, and we can cast all our anxiety on You because You care for us. You are the Father of compassion, and the God of all comfort. Thank You that You see us, and that You call us by name. Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to die for us for there is no greater love. Amen

Thank you for reading my blogpost. I welcome your thoughts, experiences and comments. Please share this post with your friends and invite them to subscribe to continue receiving it by visiting www.sharonhawkins.net.

May the Lord bring you peace and hope during these trying days. He sees and knows all that you are going through, and He cares more deeply for you than you can ever imagine.